Car enthusiasts are celebrating after the ACT government confirmed it would be leaving Lonsdale Street in Braddon open to traffic until 10pm on the Friday and Saturday nights of Summernats 2019.
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There was an uproar from car owners and Braddon traders last year when the government initially wanted to close Lonsdale Street, a popular cruising street, to traffic from 6pm on the two busiest nights of Summernats 2018.
That initial decision would have put a stop top the long-time tradition of cars cruising around the blocks of Braddon in front of large crowds in what is an informal extension of the street car festival.
A compromise was eventually reached in the face of a petition signed by almost 3500 people, and the street was closed from 9pm to 1am for this year's Summernats.
An ACT Government spokesperson confirmed on Friday that for Summernats 2019, Lonsdale Street would be open to traffic until 2pm.
The popular eats and entertainment strip, between Cooyong Street and Girrahween Street, would be closed from 10pm to 1am on Friday, January 4 and Saturday, January 5.
"This decision has been made to strike the right balance between public safety and maintaining an important, informal Summernats tradition,'' the spokesperson said.
"When the road closure is in place between 10pm and 1am, the roads will still be accessible for pedestrians and local residents at this time.
"ACT Policing will monitor Braddon in relation to public safety, offences and traffic law enforcement. ACT Policing will maintain its discretionary power to close the road at any time in response to operational need.''
Car groups' advocate Joshua Summers said on Friday after what he believed was an incident-free cruise on Lonsdale Street for this year's Summernats, he had asked the government to consider allowing traffic on Lonsdale Street until 10pm for Summernats 2019.
He said there had been "very positive engagement with the ACT Government over the last few months'', leading to the decision.
He urged all cruisers to do the right thing.
"All it takes is one idiot and ACT Policing will shut the road and unfortunately that will be it,'' he told followers on Facebook.
"We won’t have a leg to stand on if someone decides to ruin it for everyone else, forever. Believe me, you don’t want that lingering over your head knowing that you’re the reason Lonsdale Street is closed in the future!
"So, stay safe, enjoy and see you on Lonsdale Street!''
Summernats 2019 is at Exhibition Park in Canberra from January 3 to 6.
